About Love Your Feral Felines (LYFF)
Love Your Feral Felines is a nonprofit rescue organization based in North San Diego County, California. Our goal is to improve the lives of many feral and homeless cats and kittens. In our rescue, there are several programs- the Barn Cat Program, where we rescue feral cats and place them in homes as outdoor rodent control, the TNR Program, where we humanely trap feral, unfixed cats, spay or neuter them, and return them into their outdoor home, and our Foster Program, where kittens and cats are placed into homes where a foster parent will “babysit” them until they are ready for adoption. We are also partnered with Cat and Craft Cafe, a cat cafe in Vista, California, where adult cats can socialize with people and be adopted.
Two Sides of the Rescue
There are two sides of LYFF, the Barn Cat Program and the adoption of pet cats. The rescue is 100% run on donations, fundraisers, and volunteer work. We are always in need of fosters, volunteers, and donations!
Adoption of Pet Cats
Along with the barn cat adoptions, LYFF also adopts out pet cats and kittens. Over the past year, they have saved over 780 cats from euthanasia, not including barn cats. They pull kittens as young as a day old to kittens in the euthanasia room. They also take in several extreme medical cases such as sick cats, injured cats, and those requiring surgery or medical attention. They are partnered with local vets to spay, neuter, vaccinate, microchip, and FeLV test all cats that come into their care. All cats and kittens are up-to-date on vaccines, microchipped, FeLV tested, and spayed/neutered. All recorded ages are approximate.
Please note that these cats are not adoptable through our Barn Cat Program. They have been placed in foster homes and socialized. These cats are looking for indoor homes only.
Please note that these cats are not adoptable through our Barn Cat Program. They have been placed in foster homes and socialized. These cats are looking for indoor homes only.
The Barn Cat Program
LYFF saves feral cats from euthanasia and adopts them to people with property as rodent control. It creates such great lives for these cats who would otherwise be killed. Methods similar to TNR are often used in this program.
Do you have property that you need kept free of rodents and interested in adopting a cat? Consider our barn cats! Provide a special cat with a safe and comfortable place to live, food and water. They will return the favor by keeping the rodent population down. If you have a barn or other type of large property, you may want to adopt a cat who is not suitable for an indoor home. Some of these adoptable barn cats are feral, while others are friendly. These cats will help control rodent population without harmful poisons on your property. Besides, who doesn’t love watching a cat roam around their yard? If you adopt a barn cat, we will assist you while the cats settle in. If you fill out an application, a barn cat may not be ready for you immediately, although we will try to have a cat suiting your needs as soon as possible.
Why are these cats barn cats, rather than indoor cats?
Some of these cats do not have consistent litter box habits, some enjoyed the outdoors their whole lives, and some are just shy and fearful of people. Cats found as strays outside sometimes prefer living outside rather than in a house.
Cats who are suitable for homes and kittens under 6 months (unless unsocialized with no future in being socialized) will not be placed as barn cats. A minimum of two cats must be adopted at one time.
Why two cats?
Cats, especially cats on property simply do better with another cat alongside the, The two adopted cats will have a bond or get along well with each other. The adjustment into the new environment will be less chaotic and stressful with two cats as well.
When you adopt a barn cat, LYFF has the cats already spayed and neutered, vaccinated against FVRCP and Rabies, and ear tipped. LYFF will have the cats available for pick-up and will have prepared instructions on how to properly take care of your new feline friend.
When adopting a barn cat, there are a few things you’ll have to provide for your new feline.
-A warm and secure building or barn to keep your cats safe and comfortable
-The ability and commitment to confine the cat in either a crate or exercise pen with a wire top for at least 4-5 weeks to let the cat adjust to their new home before releasing them
-A constant supply of dry food and fresh water. While the cats are being confined, and for a short time after releasing them, a small amount of canned wet food will be given to them daily.
-The cats will need to be monitored and supervised in order to keep them safe
-The cats will need to get verbal contact from you daily in order to adjust to you.
Love Your Feral Felines does not charge an adoption fee for Barn Cats, but, since we are a nonprofit organization, meaning we run off of donations, a $40 donation per cat is requested, but any donation you can make to us is greatly appreciated.
Cats need to be confined for 4-5 weeks after adoption in order for them to get familiar with their new home, so they stay on your property. Although cats have escaped property upon arrival before, it is uncommon. Some people find confinement cruel, but it is absolutely necessary to you and your cats. Cats may attempt to escape confinement for the first day or two, but will settle after a few days.
The cats will be confined in a large dog crate or exercise pen with a mesh wire cover (LYFF may be able to supply these materials free of charge). These items will be returned to Love Your Feral Felines after the five weeks of confinement. The adopter must provide the cats with : a litter box, which needs to be scooped or cleaned daily; dry food and fresh water at all times; and a portion of canned food every day. It is recommended that a portion of the cage/crate be covered with a sheet. This will allow the cats to feel more protected and hidden. During cold weather and the winter, the crate should be lined with thick towels or straw. Their drinking water can become frozen during winter, so make sure to change it out daily. During summer and hit weather, proper ventilation is required in order to keep your cat cool and prevent them from overheating.
After the confinement period, here’s what you will do.
If the cat is in an enclosure (not in crates):
Choose a day that you are home all day. Release early in the morning when the sun is up. All you’ll do is open the enclosure door and allow the cats to come out on their own. You’ll leave their enclosure set up exactly same way indefinitely (if this is not possible, leave their setup untouched for 1-2 weeks minimum); it’s their safe zone, and they will continue to come back to that. Continue to feed in the enclosure and then feed in the new area (if applicable). When you release the cats, make sure you continue to give them wet food morning and night. Do not release when it’s raining or the day before or after it’s rained.
If the cats are confined in a crate in a barn or other structure:
It’s best to close all doors and windows in the barn, open the crate door in the evening, then leave. The cats will want to explore their new surroundings all night, as they are nocturnal. By morning, they will have found good hiding places, although they may prefer the security of their crate. You can ease the transition by continuing to place their food and water in the crate for a few days with the door open. You will need to continue providing daily food and water. After 1-2 days, or when you feel the cats have gotten used to their enclosure/barn with the door closed, you will open the barn/enclosure door early in the morning the following day, and allow the cats to walk out on their own.
Since cats are territorial, they should stay where their scent has been established.
Do NOT release your cats when it’s raining or rain is potential! Cat’s established scent will wash away in the rain. Waiting one more day will not harm you or your cat. After the release, leave the crates open for about 5 days in case the cats want to go back in, since they know it’s safe there. We hope the cats think of the barn as a home and decide to stay.
What if cats don’t like their new home?
The cats you decide to adopt will like the regular food and water (cats cannot live on mousing alone). After a while, the cats may even begin to convey affection. Make sure you’re patient as your new feline adapts to the new scents, sounds, and sights of their new environment. Continue to speak softly to them, hand feed them food or treats, and leave a radio on so they get used to human interaction.
PLEASE NOTE: LOVE YOUR FERAL FELINES DOES NOT TAKE IN FERALS, STRAYS OR OWNER-RELINQUISHED CATS OR KITTENS. WE SOLELY RESCUE CATS FROM OUR APPROVED RESCUE PARTNERS.
Why are these cats barn cats, rather than indoor cats?
Some of these cats do not have consistent litter box habits, some enjoyed the outdoors their whole lives, and some are just shy and fearful of people. Cats found as strays outside sometimes prefer living outside rather than in a house.
Cats who are suitable for homes and kittens under 6 months (unless unsocialized with no future in being socialized) will not be placed as barn cats. A minimum of two cats must be adopted at one time.
Why two cats?
Cats, especially cats on property simply do better with another cat alongside the, The two adopted cats will have a bond or get along well with each other. The adjustment into the new environment will be less chaotic and stressful with two cats as well.
When you adopt a barn cat, LYFF has the cats already spayed and neutered, vaccinated against FVRCP and Rabies, and ear tipped. LYFF will have the cats available for pick-up and will have prepared instructions on how to properly take care of your new feline friend.
When adopting a barn cat, there are a few things you’ll have to provide for your new feline.
-A warm and secure building or barn to keep your cats safe and comfortable
-The ability and commitment to confine the cat in either a crate or exercise pen with a wire top for at least 4-5 weeks to let the cat adjust to their new home before releasing them
-A constant supply of dry food and fresh water. While the cats are being confined, and for a short time after releasing them, a small amount of canned wet food will be given to them daily.
-The cats will need to be monitored and supervised in order to keep them safe
-The cats will need to get verbal contact from you daily in order to adjust to you.
Love Your Feral Felines does not charge an adoption fee for Barn Cats, but, since we are a nonprofit organization, meaning we run off of donations, a $40 donation per cat is requested, but any donation you can make to us is greatly appreciated.
Cats need to be confined for 4-5 weeks after adoption in order for them to get familiar with their new home, so they stay on your property. Although cats have escaped property upon arrival before, it is uncommon. Some people find confinement cruel, but it is absolutely necessary to you and your cats. Cats may attempt to escape confinement for the first day or two, but will settle after a few days.
The cats will be confined in a large dog crate or exercise pen with a mesh wire cover (LYFF may be able to supply these materials free of charge). These items will be returned to Love Your Feral Felines after the five weeks of confinement. The adopter must provide the cats with : a litter box, which needs to be scooped or cleaned daily; dry food and fresh water at all times; and a portion of canned food every day. It is recommended that a portion of the cage/crate be covered with a sheet. This will allow the cats to feel more protected and hidden. During cold weather and the winter, the crate should be lined with thick towels or straw. Their drinking water can become frozen during winter, so make sure to change it out daily. During summer and hit weather, proper ventilation is required in order to keep your cat cool and prevent them from overheating.
After the confinement period, here’s what you will do.
If the cat is in an enclosure (not in crates):
Choose a day that you are home all day. Release early in the morning when the sun is up. All you’ll do is open the enclosure door and allow the cats to come out on their own. You’ll leave their enclosure set up exactly same way indefinitely (if this is not possible, leave their setup untouched for 1-2 weeks minimum); it’s their safe zone, and they will continue to come back to that. Continue to feed in the enclosure and then feed in the new area (if applicable). When you release the cats, make sure you continue to give them wet food morning and night. Do not release when it’s raining or the day before or after it’s rained.
If the cats are confined in a crate in a barn or other structure:
It’s best to close all doors and windows in the barn, open the crate door in the evening, then leave. The cats will want to explore their new surroundings all night, as they are nocturnal. By morning, they will have found good hiding places, although they may prefer the security of their crate. You can ease the transition by continuing to place their food and water in the crate for a few days with the door open. You will need to continue providing daily food and water. After 1-2 days, or when you feel the cats have gotten used to their enclosure/barn with the door closed, you will open the barn/enclosure door early in the morning the following day, and allow the cats to walk out on their own.
Since cats are territorial, they should stay where their scent has been established.
Do NOT release your cats when it’s raining or rain is potential! Cat’s established scent will wash away in the rain. Waiting one more day will not harm you or your cat. After the release, leave the crates open for about 5 days in case the cats want to go back in, since they know it’s safe there. We hope the cats think of the barn as a home and decide to stay.
What if cats don’t like their new home?
The cats you decide to adopt will like the regular food and water (cats cannot live on mousing alone). After a while, the cats may even begin to convey affection. Make sure you’re patient as your new feline adapts to the new scents, sounds, and sights of their new environment. Continue to speak softly to them, hand feed them food or treats, and leave a radio on so they get used to human interaction.
PLEASE NOTE: LOVE YOUR FERAL FELINES DOES NOT TAKE IN FERALS, STRAYS OR OWNER-RELINQUISHED CATS OR KITTENS. WE SOLELY RESCUE CATS FROM OUR APPROVED RESCUE PARTNERS.